Why Bother Using a Moisturizer?

I like to keep my daily personal routine simple. Just be clean and quick. But not long ago I received an herbal daily moisturizing cream as a gift, and decided to start using it on my face, just because I had it. Since I was using a facial moisturizer, I figured I'd start using some of the many lotions (also gifts!) I'd collected over time, on the rest of my skin--shoulders, arms, legs, etc.--and see if there was any point.

I noticed, after just a few weeks of using the moisturizer, that my face felt a lot softer than it used to be. So I became curious...

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A MOISTURIZER?

The American Heritage Dictionary describes moisturizer as "A cosmetic lotion or cream applied to the skin to counter dryness." That said, a moisturizer will only help retain the moisture in your skin--it cannot return it.

On the market today there are many, many different types of lotions, moisturizers, creams, etc. What's important to consider though, isn't so much the added scents or vitamins, but important things such as if a daily moisturizer contains sunscreen or not. The sun drys out your skin, so dermatologists recommend a moisturizer with SPF 15 at least.

IS A MOISTURIZER REALLY NECESSARY?

Our body naturally produces oils to help keep our skin nice and supple, but different factors such as the sun, or age will lessen these natural moisturizers. Even normal washing with soap 'cleans' off the oil that helps keep our skin soft.
There are many different moisturizers out there, so no matter what your skin type, you can find one suited to help keep your skin healthier. Try to avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth amongst the ingredient list when seeking a moisturizer for your skin, as these are both remove natural oils, thus making your skin dryer.

A daily moisturizer may not be an absolute for survival, but it is a good tool to help keep one's skin softer and younger looking. You can even go all out and use a night moisturizer as well.

The part I like most about using a moisturizer is it helps keep my face soft, and only takes a minute or two to use!

citation:
moisturizer. Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moisturizer